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Obituary: Gerald (Jerry) E. Rudolph

January 25, 1928 – March 29, 2018

Gerald (Jerry) E. Rudolph, a longtime resident of Steamboat Springs, Colorado passed away March 29, 2018. He was 90.

The son of Ernest Herman Rudolph and Veda Ion Bright Rudolph, and the brother of Greta Joyce Rudolph Goggin, Jerry grew up in Denver, Colorado spending the majority of his summers as a young boy in Norton, Kansas. He graduated from North Denver High School in 1946 where he was a Colorado State Wrestling Champion in his weight class. After graduating high school Jerry spent 1946-1948 in the United States Marine Corps (Sgt) based in San Francisco California. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder where he was an alternate for the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team, President of Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, Anthropology, Physical Education and General Education. He received his Master of Arts degrees in History from the University of Denver and Educational Administration from Northern Arizona University.

Jerry was a history and math teacher in Jacksonville, Florida and Denver, Colorado. He taught high school US and World History in Denver, CO. In 1958 he moved to Steamboat Springs where he worked as a teacher at Soda Creek Elementary School and as wrestling coach alongside Coach Carl Ramunno. He went on to teach at Yampa Valley Community College (Colorado Alpine College)(Colorado Mountain College) teaching various History, Civilization and Anthropology courses as well as serving as Director of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty. He raised Husky dogs and Shetland ponies on his property in Strawberry Park. Beginning in 1974 Jerry moved his family to Arizona. He spent 20 years on the Navajo Reservation teaching and working in administration as Vice-Principle and Principle in Rough Rock Arizona, Shiprock New Mexico and Shonto Arizona.

Jerry met Barbara Banks Rudolph while attending the University of Colorado together. They married on June 13, 1954 and raised 3 children. He is preceded in death by Barbara Rudolph and succeeded by his 3 children Gregory L Rudolph, Stephen B Rudolph and his daughter Nancy Rudolph Brood, Grandchildren: Erik W Rudolph, Kaitlyn N Rudolph, Brittney McClelland and Adriana Johnson, Great Grandchildren: Leo Baugher and Cheyenne Baugher.

Jerry was an avid athlete throughout his life.  He was often seen exercising, setting the bar for getting outside and exercising no matter the weather, bicycling, swimming, hiking, running and attending various yoga classes. He participated in many running races across the country in which he almost always came in 1st place in his age category and often beat those in age categories below his. He loved to run Marathons and was extremely proud of, and often seen wearing, the belt buckle he earned by completing the Pikes Peak Marathon. He could frequently be found at the Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat working out and swimming laps in ALL weather conditions.

After retiring, Jerry spent several years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Kansas. He then returned to Steamboat Springs in 2000 where he was sometimes known as “that guy with the ski poles”. Tirelessly passionate in his interest in politics, world affairs and various charities, he always made time to enjoy his family and his many friends.

Contributions may be made to the Gerald E. Rudolph Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, PO Box 774888, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

A Celebration of Life will be held 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 24th at Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill.

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”

Dean Karnazes


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